I started riding with the Fat Frogs Chesapeake shop 4 years ago when I moved to the area. I used to get dropped by the B pace group and was known as "the girl that can't turn." I have come a long way since then and really appreciate all of their support throughout the last 4 years.
Robert was one of the first cyclists I met. He's a pretty happy guy, friendly to everyone, encouraging of everyone. Every time I walked in the shop and heard a "hey baby" I knew he was probably hanging out on the couch post ride. He has been one of Brian and I's biggest supporters over the years and I was really excited when I found out he would be doing Ironman Florida to celebrate his 50th birthday. Robert has struggled in the swim in the past, and has had to overcome fears and doubts after being pulled from the water at Rev3 Williamsburg. He told me his biggest concern was not making the cut off for the Florida swim. Well he made it with 49 minutes to spare, posting a 1:31 swim split. And it was no easy, calm swim either, I even got a little rattled after being thrown under by a wave after the first lap. It was amazing talking to him after when he said "I really didn't know if I could do it, and then I looked up and saw the first red turn buoy and at that moment I knew I was going to be an Ironman." I almost got really emotional when I was a few miles from the finish and I saw him on the run, because I knew he was going to make it. He did make it, and with plenty of time to spare with a 15:16 finish time. I think the picture below pretty much sums everything up.
Another Frog doing his first Ironman was my training buddy Keith. Keith had done several long rides with me (including a lot of my epic week) as well as some hard run workouts. He is really good at making sure I pace myself more evenly on mile repeats since I tend to try to sprint from the go. Keith also has a wonderful family that seemed just as excited for me as they were for Keith. I even had an awesome sign that said "Your feet hurt because you're kickin so much ass-phalt." What impressed me the most about Keith's training all year was how he balanced it with spending time with his family and flying long trips as a FedEx pilot. Keith had an excellent Ironman debut, finishing in 11:12.
Kristen is also part of the group and drove down with me to the race. She had driven to Steelhead with me as well and makes an excellent travel buddy. I was actually a little concerned that my abs would be sore from laughing almost the whole 13 hr drive. She had made special "badass" outfits for us to wear. The most memorable part of our trip though was running out of gas on I-95 South, and Kristen changing into running shoes and shorts to run down the highway to get gas at the next exit. We had some pretty interesting conversations, including theorizing what each athlete was like back in Kindergarten. I love traveling with Kristen and others like her because she's so positive and light hearted, it really helps to calm the nerves pre race. Kristen has done Louisville a couple times and had an hour and a half PR this past weekend at Florida (13:39). I'm looking forward to many more race trips with Kristen in the future.
While I know those three the best, it was really fun experiencing race week with all of the other frogs doing their first Ironman. David H came in at 10:36 with an awesome bike split. Dixie overcame losing her Garmin in the swim and finished in 11:30. Scott struggled with stomach issues all day but still finished in 15:03. David L. came in with Robert in 15:16. Mike struggled to run a couple of miles not too long ago and finished the IM in 15:25. Walt coached the group and sacrificed his own training and still came in in 16:05 with Ava. Everyone from the group finished and it was incredible seeing them come across the line.
Ok so now I'll go over my race a little. The pro meeting shortly after I got in was insane. It was standing room only, they were saying the biggest pro field for a non championship Ironman. I forced myself to see it as a way to push myself and not let the nerves take over. Another potentially nerve racking issue was the storm that blew in the day before the race. Double red flags meant the beach was closed and palm trees were bending with the wind, sand was whipping across the road and rain was coming down. I took shelter in the condo and just trusted the forecast that it was going to be clear the following day.
Race morning came and the waves and wind had calmed considerably, there was still some swell coming in but not the magnitude of the day before. The men went off at 6:50 and the women a few minutes later. It was a bit hard getting out and keeping track of the group on the first couple hundred meters. I latched onto the small group (not the first group) and tried to hang on. Coming in after the first loop I was on Whitney's feet (I was on her feet at Louisville too so it felt like dejavu), when we both got picked up by a wave and slammed together underwater. We eventually surfaced and she kind of looked at me and asked "are you okay?" It rattled me a little and I didn't get back in the water fast enough for the second lap and ended up on my own. With it being difficult to get back in I thought my swim time was going to be horrible, when I saw 1:04 I thought, well not good but definitely not horrible. My friend Jonathan yelled to me in the wetsuit stripper line and almost dragged me down the beach trying to get it off, they had to have another volunteer hold my arms.
The volunteers in transition got me out of there quickly, handed me my bike and I was off. I felt a little queasy from the salt water but got into a rhythm quickly, started hitting my power numbers and taking in little bits of nutrition at a time. I love my GU brew because it has a light taste that is really easy to get down after the swim. I started eating my chomps as well, never seem to get sick of them and I especially love the new lemon flavor, as well as my peanut butter gels. The conditions were very similar to my 2011 race, some periods of headwind and some period of tailwind. I tried to keep my spirits up in the headwind and my power fairly consistent, and then I tried to use the tail wind advantage as best I could. I tried to remember to stretch a little and loosen up periodically because riding in that exact position for 112 miles can be hard on the body. I was fortunate to have some other pro women near me that I could pace off and use as motivation. Coming in off the bike, I was really happy that I had been able to maintain a good steady effort and was coming off the bike with my best split ever and very close to 5 hours which I had really wanted. All the work on the bike this year is really paying off, and I'm just beginning to realize that potential so next year is going to be even better.
I ran into the T2 changing tent and was frantically getting my stuff on when I looked over and saw Rinny, and thought huh that's cool. Since Rinny had won the Ironman World Championship, she is guaranteed an entry into Kona 2014, but needs to do one Ironman to validate her slot. I thought she showed a lot of class at the Florida race, she didn't have anything to prove and instead made it a sort of well deserved victory lap. I ran out of transition before her, so when she caught me on the run looking like she was out for a jog, she was very nice and asked me my name. Every time I saw her after that she would say "hello again." I appreciated these little exchanges during some of my dark moments on the run. The first 6 miles of the run I was feeling awesome, it felt easy and my pace was faster than expected. I went with it, thinking maybe I would surprise myself. About 6 miles in I started to feel off, it was hard to pin point but I started to take in some extra salt and coke hoping that would help me get out of my funk. About 15 miles in I started to come out of it. I wasn't able to drop my pace back down to quite what it was, but my turnover was improving and I was hanging in there. Seeing the frogs, their families and my friend Jeff really picked me up. My Canadian friends Gord and Judy were about 1.5 miles from the finish and every time I passed them they had a kind word and a high five. I started looking forward to that little spot on the run, and it was so great having them out there.
While I did struggle more than I expected to on the run, I was so ecstatic to run down the chute to a 13 minute PR. This race is so special to me, I would have teared up at the finish if I had any fluids left. I hope to come back to Florida again and again.
Now that the triathlon season is over for me, I'm looking forward to some rest, relaxing, yummy food and time with my hubby and puppies before getting into base training. I have learned so much this year as a rookie pro. I appreciate every opportunity I've had to become a stronger athlete and better person. I know I say this over and over, but we appreciate everyone that supports and encourages us. When it gets hard in racing and training, it picks me up knowing how many people are behind us.
I want to write a special sponsor highlight blog next but for now, thank you to all our sponsors. Zoot for all their support, I had no discomfort in my kit, my prophet kept me buoyant, warm and fast in the water, no blisters in my tempos and they were super responsive even with my tired legs. Fat Frogs Bike and Fitness Chesapeake, for getting my bike race ready and even helping with any concerns I had during race week. Ghent Chiropractic for keeping me healthy and always making sure no injuries are creeping up on me. GU for the tasty nutrition, I was fueled from start to finish. Garmin for my 910XT giving me accurate info to gauge my effort and pace. Stages Cycling for a power meter that allowed me to gauge my effort on the bike so I could pull off my PR bike split.
I want to write more on this later, but my coach Tara has truly been an amazing friend and coach to me this season. I have felt challenged all season, she talks me through everything and I can't wait to see what is in store for next season. Stay tuned for what we will be up to in 2014.
